Safety stop for gyrostabilizers



June 24 1'924.

A. E. SCHEIN SAFETY STOP Fon GYROSTABILIZERS Filed Nov. 5,' 1920 2 Sheets-Shee L 1 June Z4 1924. ,499,320

A, E. SCHEIN SAFETY STOP FOR GYROSTABILIZERS Filed Nov. 5 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 24, 1924.

UNITED" STATES i 1,499,320 ATENT OFFICE,

ALEXANDER E. scHEIN, 0E BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, Assienonro THE srEEnY cagnosooPE ooivirAnY, or EnooiiLYn, NEW Yoan, a coEroEaTioN or NEWYOEX.

SAFETY STOP FOR GYROSTABILIZERS.

Application filed. vNovember 5, 1920. Serial No. 421,874.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that 1, ALEXANDER E. SGHEIN, a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at 176 Clinton Avenue,.Brooklyn,`

sorbing the force of the impact in order `to avoid damage to the apparatus. lVhilemy Vinvention has .especial application ltofgyroscopic ship stabilizers, it also has application to other forms of. devices for stabilizing or rolling ships in which it is necessary to set in motion and stop thestabilizing means as t it moves back and forth during the ships roll.

In my copending application `Serial No. 103,181, for gyroscopic stabilizers for ships, filed August 12, 1920, l have shown means for stopping and locking the gyroscope against oscillation when the latterenceeds .a predetermined degree. The stopping or braking means there shown comprises a heavy spring adapted to intercept the vgyro in its .excessive oscillatory movement and to Aabsorb the energy exerted during such move- "ment, the gyro being then lockedpagai-nst further movement if the movement yagainst lthe spring exceeds a predetermined amount. 11i-such a system, however, if; the gyroscope is very large, a spring .capable of absorbing the energy represented must be excessively large and would occupy a great deal of-space. f

Moreover, the energy absorbedby the springs becomes'stored therein and is `necessarily transmitted tothe .gyroscope :onits .return oscillatiom unless additional mechanism `is Vemployed to prevent this undesirable occurrence.V j

The principalobjectof the presentv inven tion is to `overcomevthese objectionstothe spring braking device by the. substitution of :a simpler, smaller, and lessexpensive device in which 'the energy of the oscillating gyro is .absorbed f 4in doing .Work-which is -dissigyioscope striking the stop or brake."

Fig. 2 omitting the gyro casing.'

rated into .heat Suh as in .straining or. ,other wise changing theshape of a strip of iron or other metal.

Referring to the drawings Whereinl have shown what l now consider to be the vpref ferredk form of my invention.: t

pFi'g.. 1 is-a side elevation of a gyroskcopic stabilizer. f

Fig. 2 is Ya sectional detail showingy the Fig. 3 is ,a section taken on line of Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryidetail taken on linee-4 of Fig.` 3, showing the Kmetallic strip to be bent.

Fig. 5 is a more complete view taken on the same line showing the strippartly'bent.

Fig. 6` is a section taken on line ti-,.-Gfof Fig. 7 `is a wiring diagram. v

In the drawings which show Ymy invention as applied to a gyroscopicstabilizer 1 represents the gyroscope casing, a portion yof the gyro-rotor 2 being `rshown in Fig. 2. The

kcasing is mounted in a frame 3 shown in dotted lines von an axis #i about whichit is adapted to oscillate. l Secured to the casing is a gear 5 meshing with a chain of reduction gears 6 connected to a motor 7 softhat operation ofsaid 'motor under `the control of f a small control gyroscope assety forthvin said aforementioned copending application will lact tofapply a force to the main gyroscope yabout axis 4.. Abraking device `Simore spe- Vcicallydesc'ribed in sa-id copending .appli-y cation maybe provided for braking 'the precession motor 7 Said brake isfadap'ted to be actuated by-an electromagnetractingupon an armaturelO connected through levers l1 1 to the braking device. T-he manner in which lthis motor brake iscontrolled willbeniore fully describedhereinafter.

Below they gyroscope l Vhave f shown a rack 12 (see Figs. .1, 2, and) `provided withside flanges 13, .14C engaging guide flanges 1,5, ig

16 secured togframework 17;"tlie rack being..

thus slidable longitndinally.` Said rack meshes with gear teeth 18 formed across the middle section of a drum :19 ywhich is mounted for rotation in bearings20 carried opposite'` sides of `the drum adjacent the V(grooves 22 are provided members 24, 25 fixed with respect to the rotatable drum by being secured by heavy pins 26 securely anchored as shown at 27 to frame 17. The outerwends 28 of the' pinsl are socketed in holes 29 in a cap member 30 fixed to frame l7V at 3 forgreater rigidity. The strip 23 passes between said members 24, 25.l

The rack 12 is provided with shoulders 31,1532 so positioned as to be struck by bumpers 33, 34 on the gyroscope when the latter oscillates beyond the predetermined degree.

The preferred construction of the bumper is as follows: member 35 having a cylindrical bore is secured to the gyro casing l. One or more springs 36, 37 may be provided within the bore of said member. The rear end of spring 36 engages a plug 33 secured ininember 35 and that of spring 37 a stop 39 integral with said member. rIhe bumper lelement 33 which may be of hardened material is fixed to the end of a shaft 401projecting into the bore of member 35.` Said shaft is provided with a flange 4l engaging the forward end of spring 37, and a shoulder Vlr42"engaging a movableV plate 43 whichin turn engages the forwardend of spring 36. The shaft projects through va hole in stop 39 and also through end plug 44, which plug 'hylfengaging flange 4l holds the" parts in lposition'. j i

l Members 35 maybe provided with ratchet lteeth' 45, whileA frame 17carries pawls 46 pi'voted at 47and having ashoulder 48. A spring' 49 engaging shoulder 50 on frame `l7 'and'slioulder 48 may serve to press the V-paw'l A' into engagement with teeth 45. A "l" v'lt lf'ha'ving a nut. 52 may serve to hold the spring-,49 inv place and to limit 'the play of thepawl. Y Y

7 operationjs Vas follows Under normal conditions'or when theforc'es tending `terollthe ship'are not excessivmthe stabilizer will operate to; prevent'the Vro'lling'of the` ship' in theusua'l vmanner Yas explained .inf n" '7' y*aforesaid* applicat-ion, that is, the scope' in precefssingback and forth, has en limited by the Striking of 'lug aga'ii t one'oi1 the otherr of limit 'switches thereby opening the circuit of thefpresionmotor`(7)', which also results in the `pli`cationy of 'the brake S'by'the deener- 'g 'ofthe magnet 9;'"FVVhen the ship rev'er es roll, the" circuit' is immediately "completed tln'rough"` the other limitl switch V"the control'gyro not shown) by neans 'of"the usual relayt Adri'vefthe precession:motor 7L 'in "thejoppos'i'te direction. "Butwheii the sea'becomes excessivelyrlough so that the 'gyroscope oscillat'es'jtlnough "a dangerouslyl'wide' angley about its axis '4 in damping out 'thefrolh bumper 33 may strike A-65 :shoulder '-131 ff rack la sliding said f rack 'locking takes pla'ceasspecified,`

along guide rails l5, 16, thereby causing drum l@ to rotate in its bearings 20, tending to revolve the strips 23 around with it. The restriction of said strips between members 24, 25, however, (Eig.V 4) prevents, this, so that said strips are caused to bend as shown in Fig. 5 and wrap around drum 19. In other words, the plate is strained preferably beyond its elastic limit. is indicated, the corners 53, 54 of the drum and members 24, over which the bending of the strips takes place are preferably rounded so that the vbending upon the drum will not be too abrupt and so that the strips will draw properly through members 24, 25,

All of the energy represented in the oscillation of the gyroscope is absorbed in the work of bending or coiling strips 23, so that the oscillation is completely checked. In the meantime the pawl 46 will have engaged teeth 45, locking the gyroscope against lfurther oscillation.

The initial shock of the impact between the bumper and rack will be absorbed by the springs 36, 37, thus avoiding breaking of the rack.

The strength of the springs 36,V 37 is preferably suchith'at they will Vyield to a degree permitting member 33 to strike the end plug 44 before strips 23 are caused to bend.' Also contacts' 55, 56 hereinafter referredv to may beso positioned that'they will not. close, and pawl 46 so designed that it willV not grip ratchet until said\springs have vrecoile'd to substantially the k'aforesaid leXtent; tlie end of the pawl being adapted torride :over the'out'standing surface l66 the desired distance for this purpose, before meshing with the ratchet. Thus, if the vforce of the oscillation :is such that the springs do not 'fully recoil no'locking of the gyroscope and prece'ssion motor will' take place, and-fthe springs will act-tdlimit the degree 'of oscillation while 'permitting the stabilizer to continue-to operate. lBut whenfthe springs are overcome" by-'theforce of precession the Then the gyro'scopestrikes the rack with sufficient force.to'fcausefsprings 36, 37 to .yield and conta-ct 55 to' engage contact 56 closing the circuitthroughelectromagnet 9 '(seeFig. 7) openingswitch 70'and'thereby armature' of theprecelssion motor. Alsoiben e'drt'o 'strikeneor the otherr of the'upp'er Ycausing the application of the brakes to the 'precession motor 7 l a.`11d"deen'erg1z1ng the arms 59 of a switch 60.V The switch blades Y from theprecession inotor7fif the circuit is Lil and 554-56 is thatV the former breaks the circuit tofone side of thetline 4only leaving the motor free' to be-driven in the` opposite direction When the ship reverses `its roll. The latter on the other hand opensl the mainline circuit so `that the inotoris deenergized andthe brakes'locked/until'reset by the operator. rI'hus it will beseen' that vat the saine time the oscillation of the rgyroscope is stopped, the current tok the` inotor inducing or aiding' the oscillation is' shut off and a brake applied toy quickly stopthe motor.

Before' thestabilizer is again placed in operation,k thebent strips"23` Will be taken out and new strips inserted. f

As pointed out in the aforesaidcopending application a smallgyroscope isY used to control the stabilizer throughmotoi" 7 Which isgeared to thestabilizei". Inv the event of failure of tlie control system by1 reason of breakingv of the gear 5 or other connections, or the failure of current,` etc., the stabilizer is apt tobecome erratic and to oscillate to an excessive' degree.' Under ysuch conditions it Willbe 'readily recognized that the gyro'- scope'iy'ill be stopped `and locked against further operation, thus avoiding the rdanger of damage' to the appaiatus.r s t In accordance: with the provisions of the patent statutes', I haye herein described the principle of operationof` my invention,` together With the apparatus;k which I non consider to represent the'best vembodiment thereof, but I desire` to' have it understood that the apparatus shoWnis onlygillustrative and that the'inyention can be carried out by other me'ansi Also,` While it is designed to use the Various featuresr and elementsy in the combination' and relations described, somo of these may be :altered andf'othersloinitted Without' .interfering-With the `morer general results outlined, and the invention-extends to'sucli use.' 4

'Having described'fmy invention,` what I claimand desire' to 'secnr by `Letters Pat '11 In a ship'stabilizer. gyroscope inount ed f'oroscillation about an airis', an element adapted to bie brought into action by said gyio'scope when 'the f oscillation' thereot en; ceeds predetermined' angle 'a "meml'ier as sociated with said elemeiit and adapted to bestraiiie'd thereby when saidy element is brought into action, and lmeans also brought intol Aaction undier 4similar conditions for locking the gyroscope against further oscillation.

2. In a ship stabilizer, a gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis,V a torque ap- K plying motor therefor7 a brake, a metallic 'member adapted to be strained by said gyi'of scope when. its oscillation exceeds a prede` tei-mined` angle, means for locking the gyroscope against oscillation,v and means for controlling said brake, both of saidv means be-4 ing vbromgfht into actionv when' rhe'oscillation of th@ gyroscope termined angle.

3. In a' ship stabilizer, a gyro'scope mount,` ed for oscillation about'an axis,y an element adapted to be brought into action by said gyroscopevirhen the oscillation thereof exceeds a rpredetermined angle,` a: member as*- soicia'ted with said element and' adapted to be strained thereby7 when, said element is brought into act-ion, and means forlocliing the gyroscope against further oscillation when said member is sof strained.

4. In combination, a ship stabilizer', cushioned bumping means carried therel'iyV an element adapted to beV struck and moved by 'said means, and a metallic. `member adapted; to *be strained beyond its' elastic `limitl by 'said' element in response. to Inovement thereof.'y f Y i f* 5.A As brake foi` a moving element comprisingrmeansfadapted tobe actuated by'in'ovement of such element and an elasticipla-te adapted to beY strained by said means when so actuated beyond its elastic limit. 6. In combination-algyroscopicv stabilizer mounted-'for oscillation about an axis, a rack adapted'to beuaotuated yby said stabilizer when `its` oscillation yexceeds a predetermined value, `a rotatable element geared to said vrack foractuation, a member kconnected with said element'aiid adapted to be bent by rotation thereof. :1 1 "i @iT. vIn combination, a lgyroscopic stabilizer for'shipsrmounted for oscillationy about an axis"7 means for braking" the `oscillation `of said stabilizer comprising an element adapted rto b@ brought Iinto action by thefstabi# lizer When-its"eXtentrof oscillation exceeds exceeds said `predef a vpredeteirriined` amount, andaiy member asf of said stabilizer including an'y element adapted to'fbe'(broughty intoactionv bythe stabilizer-when'its extentof oscillation eX- ceeds a-fpredeteriniiriedfamount; and a plate straining member actuated thereby.

10.k In combination, a movablek element, and lbraking means therefor comprising` an elastic member adapted to be strained vby movement of said element.y said member "bef ying` adapted to dissipate inglieat the energy exerted in straining it. y

l1. In combination'7 ra gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis, a member adjacent said gyroscope and adapted to be actuated thereby when the gyroscope oscillates in excess oit a predetermined degree, and a removable plate carried by said member and adapted to be strained thereby7 when said member is so actuated.

l2. ln combination. a gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis, a member adjacent said gyroscope and adaptedV to be actuated thereby when the gyroscope oscillates in excess of a predetermined degree, a removable pla-te carried by said member and adapted to be stra-ined thereby When said member is so actuated, and means for locking the gyroscope against return oscillation when said plate' is so strained.

13. In combination, a gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis, a drum associated therewith and adapted to be rotated thereby 'when said oscillation exceeds a predetermined degree, and a removable member associated with said drum and adapted to vbe strained thereby when said drum is so rotated.

V14. In combination, a Ygyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis, a drum associated' therewith and adapted to be rotated thereby -when said oscillation exceeds a predetermined degree, a removable member associated vvith said drum, and adapted to be strained therebyy When said drum is so rotated, and means for locking the gyroscope against return oscillation when said member is so strained. i"

15. In combination, a gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axis, resilient means 'for limiting the degree of such oscillation, additional limiting means adapted to be brought into operation When the force of such oscillation exceeds a predetermined value, and means for locking the gyroscope against return oscillation When said additional vlimiting means is brought into operation.

" 16.; In combination, a gyros'cope mounted for oscillation about an axis, resilient means for limiting the degree of such oscillation, additional Vlimiting means adapted to be brought into operation'ivhen the force of such oscillation'V Y 'exceeds i a predetermined value, said last mentioned means comprising an elastic `element adapted to be strained loeyond its elastic-limit by the giyro'scope.

17. In combination,`a gyroscope mounted for oscillation about an axisya precession motor operatively'connected vvith said gyruscope, resilient means v'for limiting the oscillation of the gyroscope, additional limiting means'adapted to be brought into operation when the force of such oscillation exceeds a predetermined value, means for locking the gyrosco-pe against return oscillation, and means for rendering said motor inoperative, both of said last mentioned means being brought into action when said additional limiting means is actuated. j

i8. In combination, a gyroscopic stabilizer for ships, braking means for said stabilizer including a member of predetermined shape, andl means adapted to be actuated by said gyroscope tor permanently changing the shape oi said member. Y n

19. In a ship stabilizing device, a member mounted for movement back and forth vas the ship rolls, motive means for accelerating said member, braking means for the same, and a safety stop therefor includin an elastic plate adapted to be' strained by impact of said member beyond its elastic limit.

20. In a ship stabilizing device, a mass mounted for movement back andl forth as the ship rolls, means for braking the same comprising an element ladapted to be brought into action vbysaid massy When, its extentfof to and fro motion exceeds a predetermined amount, and a member associatedwvith said element'and adapted to be permanently bent kWhen saidY element is broughtinto action.H 2l; Inj'a shipstabilizing device, .a mass mounted for lmovement; back and forth-as the ship rolls, a member adjacent Said-mass and adapted to" be 4vactuated thereby When the mass moves back and forth' inV excess of a predetermined degree, and a removable plate carried Ybysaid member and adapted to be strained thereby Whenfsaid member is so actuated.v` 1 'f Y 22. In a ship stabilizing device, anlass mounted for movement back andV forth.V as the ship rolls, resilient means for `limi-ting the degree of such movement, additional limiting vmeans adaptedf tombe :broughtinto operation When'the force of such-movement exceeds a predetermined value, and lmeans for locking the mass against -returrrmo-vement when said additional limiting meansis brought into operation. f V In testimony whereof-I vhave a'i'xedmy signature. f ALEXANDER E. SCHEIN. 

